FLINT, MI — The fourth annual Buckham Alley Festival is coming up, a chance to eat some good food, listen to live music, and celebrate one of downtown's lesser-known avenues.

The festivities will take place on July 12 from 4-10 p.m. Here's what else you need to know about the big day.

Where it is

Buckham Alley, if you don't know it, can be easy to overlook. If you're downtown on the day of the event, however, it shouldn't be too hard. Buckham Alley is located just half a block west of Saginaw Street and stretches from Second Street to Kearsley Street.

If you're on downtown Saginaw Street — Flint's red-bricked main street — just get between Second and Kearsley and head west. You'll see the stages and all the festivities going on.

What you'll see

The festival always features two stages, one at each end of the alley, that will have multiple musical groups in different styles performing throughout the day. In between the stages will be lots of things: vendors selling various things (the festival is known for its eclectic vendors), activities for kids, and artists, including the return of a long graffiti display that will be set up along one of the alley walls. People will be able to watch the graffiti artists in action as they create a collaborative project throughout the day (they're doing it on a wooden wall set up just for the event—don't worry).

There will also be food. While restaurants located along the alley, like the Torch Bar & Grill, often have their own outdoor set-up, this will also mark the first year that a food truck will be parked in the area as well.

It's free

Just show up and have a good time.

It's earlier this year

In past years, the Buckham Alley Festival began at 6 p.m. This year, things are starting a little earlier at 4 p.m. Kathleen Gazall, who chairs the event, said that she hopes that allows a bigger connection between the alley and the new downtown location of the Flint Farmers' Market at 300 East First St., about three blocks from the festival.

What it's all about

The people who put on the festival — now a nonprofit called Friends of the Alley — do it, they say, because they love the alley. For people who have spent a long time downtown, the alley means something special, and this is a way of celebrating that.

It's also a way of preserving it. Proceeds from the festival will go toward the group's efforts to make the alley more attractive and walkable. Installations like hanging lights, planter boxes, benches, and bike racks are among the ideas for the alley.